Richard Wake Books In Order

Publication Order of Alex Kovacs Books

Publication Order of La Rue Family Crime Thriller Books

Publication Order of Peter Ritter Books

Richard Wake is an author best known for his Alex Kovacs series. Before switching fulltime writing, Richard worked as a newspaper reporter, editor, and columnist. Writing fiction was one of his dreams, primarily historical fiction books set in Europe during the inter-war period, but now it has become a reality. Alex Kovacs novels comprise the first of Richard’s several planned series set during those turbulent times.
Vienna at Nightfall

Vienna at Nightfall is the first book in Alex Kovacs series by Richard Wake. The story is set in mid-1930 in Vienna, Austria on the eve of Nazi Germany invasion. We meet Alex Kovac, living in Vienna and enjoying his single life with his friends and sees what’s on the horizon. There is a similarity to modern America: The rising nationalism to Make Germany Great Again; tolerating thugs, targeting ethnic groups for persecution and also tolerating bullies as they invade the Jews in the name of a tyrannical leader.

As Alex, the main character travels from Austria and Germany and back visiting clients of his family’s magnetite mining firm, he is conflicted by his aversion of the rising Nazi influence and his lack of courage in taking an introvert stands against these oppressors. The German steel factories that will produce weapons of the next war are among his most significant client base. And navigating through the beliefs of his customers and social life in Vienna can be morally tiring. But not until when his beloved uncle and mentor, Otto, is discovered dead when Alex begins to emerge from his self-defensive cocoon and start to come in terms with how he will need to behave as Europe is drawn closer to war.

The first novel in the Alex Kovacs trilogy is a fast-paced thriller that will pull you in the right from the first page. Richard Wake does a fantastic job in creating characters that feel very real, and a setting that sends the reader back in time in 1930 Vienna. The dangers that the characters face will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. In addition, the author does a fantastic job of depicting the mounting Nazi violence such that you can’t help but feel those echoes in today’s world. Overall Vienna at Nightfall is a brilliant treatment of one step in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and in this case the invasion of Austria. The author skillfully weaves history into the daily life of his protagonist, Alex Kovac.

The Spies of Zurich

The year is 1939, and Germany has already attacked and invaded Poland. World War II has begun but the first event is still underway. Two questions, however, hangover everyone: when will Hitler’s army turn to west and will France military be ready?

After Austria and Czechoslovakia fall, Alex is forced to move to Zurich. He works as a banker and has found love- but hasn’t quit his spy business. He and his clients in the espionage community think that they already know what’s going to happen, how the Germany dictator will invade, and how he will assist in funding the endeavor. But the problem is that no one in authority wants to listen. Frustrated and at the same time determined, Alex fights for a way to get someone to hear him out.

The Spies of Zurich is the second in Alex Kovacs historical thriller series. If you enjoy exploring the world inhabited by characters created by Alan Furst, a place and time characterized by evil where the most critical questions are asked the most ordinary persons, then you will love Richard Wake’s thriller books.
The Lyon Resistance

France has been invaded, and the Gestapo is now in charge of the country with an evil terror. The rebellion does what it can in its powers at primarily enormous personal risk to its members. But is it worth it?

After France is shattered, Alex Kovac and his wife, Manon relocate to their home in Lyon to continue fight a war they began as spy agents back in Switzerland. Disillusioned by the leaders who ignored so ignored all the warnings and allowed France to be overpowered by the Germans, they create a resistance cell and vandalize the Nazi’s whenever they can. But the effects are short-lived even as the danger for them grows gigantically. And when that danger confronts them, Alex is forced to make the final decision- and risk everything for his family and his cause. The Lyon Resistance is the third in Alex’s Kovac’s thriller series.

The Limoges Dilemma

The raging war stops for nothing. And so if you are a part of the French rebellion, there’s no time for second-guessing, regret or grieving that’s what everyone says. But how can you listen to the thoughts of your head when you’re living with a ruined soul?

Alex Kovacs has been sneaked into Limoges after a failed attempt to rescue him and his wife from Gestapo by airlifting them out of France. She is gone, and he’s left a loner. In Limoges and its environs, he finds himself faced not only by the Germans but also by different resistance groups with different perspectives and loyalties- some communists, others followers of de Gaulle, all with a hidden agenda. Struggling with his emotions, and competing with the resistance groups, all who want to be in charge when the war is over, Alex becomes entangled in assassinations, sabotage missions, and revenge, all who put his moral foundation to test.

The Limoges Dilemma is the fourth book in Alex Kovacs historical series. If you enjoy and would like to explore the world occupied by Philip Kerr or Alan Furst’s characters, a place and time where moral ambiguity and looming terror live side by side, then you will love Richard Wake’s historical thriller series. The novel is quite different from the preceding Alex Kovac books. Alex has difficult time with some vital personal transitions. However the story does demonstrate some character development for the protagonist as well as his friend Leon. It presents us with a more complex Alex, different from the playboy traveling salesman he was in the previous books.

8 Responses to “Richard Wake”

1. Jill: 1 year ago

   I binge read all the Alex Kovacs novels and then went straight on to the Peter Ritter novels. I loved them all. Brilliantly researched with the perfect amount of humour. I can’t wait for your next book, no matter what it is.

   Reply
2. P Young: 1 year ago

   Great series. Love the intrigue and
   research you did on WW2.

   Reply
3. John Conley: 2 years ago

   I have read all of Richard Wake’s Alex Kovac’s series Wonderfully written and intriguing stories >
   Why have you folks not listed and discussed his new Peter Ritter Series?

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Thanks for the heads up – there was a database issue there. Got it fixed now.

     Reply
4. charleslewis@rogers.com: 2 years ago

   Just finished Vienna at Nightfall and into the second book. You have talent. I’m a big fan of Fursst, Kerr, etc. Keep going. Love it.

   Reply
5. Jacob Bunn: 2 years ago

   Fantastic novels much like Alan Furst, Alex Gerlis, and Phillip Kerr.
   Keep ‘em coming, Richard!

   Reply
6. prentice e yeomans: 3 years ago

   I am new to series and thoroughly enjoy ever book. i particularly like how you blend historical facts and more importantly the mood of the countries populations ( especially France, Switzerland and eastern Europe ) from those who opposed to those who welcomed the Germans.

   Reply
7. Rosanne Milroy: 3 years ago

   I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am now beginning The Limoges Dilemma. Great work, Richard!

   Reply